Red Tree Reef seasonal overview
Red Tree Reef is a reliable year-round surf spot, but the best conditions for surfers are concentrated in the winter and early spring months. From November through February, the swell consistency is excellent, with ground swell dominance (67%–82%) and minimal no-swell days. December and January stand out as prime months, offering the largest mean swell sizes (2.8m and 2.4m, respectively). However, these months also come with challenging wind conditions—bad winds prevail over 80% of the time, making clean sessions less frequent. February and March still provide solid swell (2.2m–2.0m) with slightly improved wind percentages (23% good wind days). April marks a transition, with ground swell decreasing (59%) and wind conditions marginally better (29% good winds). The summer months (May–September) see smaller swells (1.1m–1.6m) and a higher mix of wind swell, making conditions less ideal for advanced surfers. October brings a return of larger swells (2.1m) but retains poor wind reliability (79% bad winds). For the best balance of size and fewer onshore days, late winter and early spring (February–April) offer the most favorable trade-offs, though patience is needed for clean windows.
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Conditions at Red Tree Reef in May
In May, Red Tree Reef typically experiences a favorable swell for surfers, with an average height of 1.4m and a solid period of 11.4s, indicating consistent and well-formed waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the SSW to WSW, contributing to the majority of waves in the 0.5m to 2.5m range—ideal for intermediate to advanced riders. Notably, the largest share of waves falls in the 1-1.5m and 1.5-2m categories, offering powerful yet manageable conditions. Wind conditions are less reliable, with only 27% of days providing ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds, mainly from directions that align well with the predominant swell. However, stronger onshore winds (SE to S) can occasionally degrade wave quality, particularly when exceeding 20kph. Overall, May presents a mix of good surf days, with a focus on early sessions when winds are lighter and swells are cleanest. Advanced surfers will find the most opportunities, especially when wind and swell align favorably.
Average Spot conditions at Red Tree Reef in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Red Tree Reef during May. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Red Tree Reef for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Red Tree Reef for May. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Red Tree Reef.
